Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees of the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences is a 20-member governing body established by the legislative act, signed by the Governor, which created the school. 

Eight of the board members are appointed by the Governor — one from each congressional district and one at-large from Marengo County — while the 12 additional members bring a wide range of professional expertise across healthcare, education, and workforce development.

Enacted as part of Alabama’s initiative to address rural healthcare workforce shortages and provide career and educational opportunities for youth, the statute empowers the board to govern and exercise operational oversight. Among many duties, that includes establishing student eligibility criteria, approving career pathways and curriculum offerings, and selecting the school’s president.

 

Anupam Agarwal, M.D.

Senior Vice President Medicine & Dean Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Dr. Anupam Agarwal is Senior Vice President for Medicine and Dean, Heersink School of Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). He served as Executive Vice Dean for the Heersink School of Medicine (2014-2022) and served as the Director for the Division of Nephrology from Jan 1, 2008, to Sept 30, 2021. He also serves as the Program Director of the NIH/NIDDK funded O’Brien Center for Acute Kidney Injury Research. He has graduate-faculty status in the Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Pathology and Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology at UAB.

 

Brittney Anderson, M.D. *

Family Practice Physician/Practice Owner, Anderson Family Care

Dr. Brittney Anderson is a board-certified family medicine physician and accomplished entrepreneur dedicated to providing patient-centered care. In 2022, she established a thriving private practice in Demopolis, Ala., rooted in community engagement. Having experienced the benefits of independent practice, Dr. Anderson is passionate about highlighting the need for and rewards in practicing rural medicine, as well as empowering other physicians to successfully launch their own medical practices. Her commitment to the medical field extends to her role as the current President of the Alabama Academy of Family Physicians, as well as her enthusiasm for educating medical trainees and equipping patients with the knowledge to make informed healthcare decisions.

 

Jimmy Baker

Chancellor, Alabama Community College System

Jimmy H. Baker, appointed chancellor of the Alabama Community College System in 2017, has vast experience in both public and private sectors. Beginning his career as a teacher and coach at Daleville High School, Baker advanced through educational administration roles, serving as superintendent in Daleville and Coffee County, and later as assistant state superintendent for finance, overseeing budgets for Alabama’s education systems. He held the position of state finance director under Alabama Gov. Fob James from 1995 to 1999, managing critical government functions and spearheading the Foundation Program for equitable school funding. In the private sector, Baker led George M. Wood & Co. as president for a decade, managed real estate developments, and operated businesses, including a medical evacuation company. Appointed chief of staff for the community college system in January 2016 and acting chancellor in August, Baker’s extensive leadership and commitment to student success position him to advance Alabama’s community colleges.

 

Josiah “Jo” Bonner, Jr.

President, University of South Alabama

Josiah (Jo) Robins Bonner, Jr., selected as the fourth president of the University of South Alabama in November 2021, has prioritized advancing educational opportunities, positioning USA as the Flagship of the Gulf Coast. His leadership emphasizes student engagement through initiatives like Jag Days, which brings high school students to campus for vibrant VIP tours, and personal outreach to over 8,500 prospective students and more than 100 high schools across Alabama and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Bonner’s vision promotes USA’s promise of a quality degree as a pathway to a brighter future, complemented by the growth of its academic medical system. Beyond education, Bonner served as chief of staff to Governor Kay Ivey and represented Alabama’s First District in Congress for over a decade, where he secured significant economic projects like Airbus’s Mobile assembly line and a $2.8 billion Navy contract for Austal. A respected leader, Bonner has been honored with awards such as the Alabama Academy of Honor induction and the 2023 Patriot of the Year by the Mobile Bay Area Veterans Council. He is married to Janée Lambert, and they have two children, Lee and Robins.

 

Douglas Brewer

President & CEO, Tombigbee Healthcare Authority and Whitfield Regional Hospital at UAB Medicine

Doug Brewer, President and CEO of The Tombigbee Healthcare Authority and Whitfield Regional Hospital in Demopolis, part of the UAB Health System, brings extensive healthcare leadership experience to his role. Previously, he served as President and CEO of Citizens Baptist Medical Center, Chief Administrative Officer at Brookwood Baptist Medical Center, and Chief Operating Officer at Tenet Healthcare’s Atlanta Medical Center, a level-one trauma center. Brewer’s career includes developing and constructing over 15 hospitals nationwide, and he holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Central Oklahoma and an MBA from Kutztown University. A dedicated advocate, he served as national Board Chairman for the Brain Injury Association of America, moderated a congressional hearing on brain injury, and currently serves on the Alabama Hospital Association’s West Council, the Statewide Trauma System’s Regional Advisory Committee, and the boards of Talladega College.

 

Brandon Farmer

President & CEO, Alabama Nursing Home Association

Brandon Farmer, president and CEO of the Alabama Nursing Home Association (ANHA) since 2020, is a healthcare leader dedicated to enhancing long-term care and healthcare education in Alabama. He advises the ANHA board on policy and government relations, serves as the organization’s spokesperson, and represents Alabama within the American Health Care Association, while spearheading initiatives like nurse apprenticeship programs with Alabama’s community college system and a certificate program for medication dispensing to optimize nursing efficiency. Previously, Farmer spent 17 years as director of governmental relations and public affairs at NHS Management in Tuscaloosa, working with Congress and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on post-acute care, and began his career as a public affairs consultant at Stephen Bradley & Associates in Birmingham. A Tuscaloosa native, he holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Arts from The University of Alabama.

 

Natalie Fox

Chief Physician & Enterprise Officer, University of South Alabama Health

Natalie Fox, a distinguished healthcare leader at USA Health, oversees the strategy, performance, and operational effectiveness of the physician enterprise, managing approximately 325 physicians, 175 advanced practice providers, and over 300 residents and fellows across faculty and community practices. With extensive experience since 2011, Fox has held pivotal roles, including assistant administrator and chief nursing officer for USA Physicians Group, where she drove quality initiatives to enhance population health outreach and improve patient access. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she spearheaded USA Health’s partnership with the city of Mobile to deliver timely COVID testing and vaccine administration, earning her a Mobile Community Health Leadership Award in May 2022. Her contributions to nursing were further recognized with Alabama’s Top Nurses Lifetime Achievement Award. Previously, as executive director of academic physician practices, she managed the operational and financial aspects of academic physicians and providers, and as manager of clinical operations for pediatrics, she led team-based care initiatives. A triple graduate of the University of South Alabama with a doctorate, master’s, and bachelor’s in nursing, Fox also holds adjunct faculty roles at USA’s College of Nursing and Whiddon College of Medicine.

 

Todd Fritch

President, University of West Alabama

Dr. Todd G. Fritch, appointed the 13th president of the University of West Alabama on January 2, 2025, brings a distinguished record of educational leadership and academic achievement. Holding a Ph.D. and M.S. in Geology from Baylor University, and a B.S. in Geology, cum laude, from Lake Superior State University, Fritch further enhanced his expertise by completing the Institute for Educational Management program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education in July 2022. As Executive Vice President and Provost at the State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota, he drove academic excellence and fostered inclusivity, while his prior roles as Chief Academic Officer at Shorelight Education and Provost at American International College showcased his commitment to student success and faculty development. Fritch’s senior academic positions at The American College of Greece and Northeastern University further underscore his global perspective on higher education. Recognized with the 2019 Chancellor’s Best Practice Award for Workforce Partnerships from the Florida Department of Education and the 2016 Outstanding Alumni Award from Lake Superior State University, Fritch’s leadership in securing fiscal resources and building partnerships positions him to advance UWA’s educational mission.

 

Danny Garrett

Alabama State Representative, District 44

Representative Danny Garrett, elected to the Alabama House of Representatives in 2014, has significantly impacted education through his prior role as vice president of the Trussville City School Board of Education, where he helped shape local educational policies. He holds a B.S. in Commerce and Business Administration and a Master of Tax Accounting from the University of Alabama, further distinguished by passing the Alabama Certified Public Accountancy examination in 1983. As a member of the University of Alabama Culverhouse College of Commerce Board of Visitors and the Advisory Board of the Alabama Productivity Center, Garrett continues to influence educational and economic development. Currently the chief financial officer for Vulcan Threaded Products, with prior CFO roles at major manufacturing firms, he brings fiscal expertise to his legislative work. Married to Carol since 1984, with three adult sons, Garrett is an active member of the First Baptist Church of Trussville and the Trussville Rotary Club.

 

Reevice L. Girtman *

Superintendent, Ozark City Schools

Reeivice L.Girtman, superintendent of Ozark City Schools, is a native of Dothan and a graduate of Northview High School. He went on to Troy University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in human resources, a master’s in elementary education and a certification in administration and leadership.  He also played both offense and defense on the football team.  His 25-year educational career includes positions as principal at a high school and an elementary school, a classroom teacher, a director of curriculum and instruction and a coach for track, field and football. His philosophy of education is based on the benefits of life-long learning and the strong bond between community and schools.

 

Laura Grill *

President & CEO, East Alabama Health System

Laura Grill serves as the President and CEO of East Alabama Health, which encompasses East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika and East Alabama Medical Center - Lanier in Valley. Throughout her nearly 30-year tenure with the health system, she has progressively served in crucial roles such as Director of Cardiology, Chief Nursing Officer, COO, and Executive Vice President, culminating in her appointment as the first female president and CEO of East Alabama Medical Center. Holding a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a Master's in Business Administration from the University of Alabama, Grill actively contributes to her community by serving on the Alabama Hospital Association Board of Trustees, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, and the Business Council of Alabama. Under her leadership, East Alabama Medical Center has earned recognition on Newsweek's list of America's Best-In-State Hospitals.

 

Danne Howard

President & CEO, Alabama Hospital Association

Danne Howard’s leadership in governmental relations, emergency preparedness, and policy advocacy in nearly three decades with the Alabama Hospital Association led to her being named the organization’s first female president and CEO in July 2025. Before joining AlaHA in 1996, she spent 10 years in frontline clinical medicine as a coordinator and surgical scrub nurse. As deputy director and chief operating officer of AlaHA, Howard was recognized for her leadership in coordinating access to care and guiding Alabama’s hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. A native of central Alabama, she is an alumna of Auburn University at Montgomery.

 

Julie Savage Jones *

RN & Nursing Instructor, UAB & Jefferson State Community College

Julie S. Jones, EdD, MSN, RN, is a dedicated educator and registered nurse whose career centers on advancing nursing education and patient care. As a Nursing Instructor at Jefferson State Community College, she teaches and mentors associate degree nursing students across various courses and clinical settings, fostering a culture of excellence and lifelong learning. Concurrently, as a Medical Surgical Staffing Pool RN at UAB Medicine, she delivers high-quality care to diverse, complex patients, leveraging her expertise in patient advocacy, safety, and evidence-based practice. Jones holds a Doctorate of Education in Instructional Leadership for Nurse Educators (2016), a Master of Science in Nursing in Nursing Case Management for Rural Populations (2003), and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Auburn University (1991), complemented by ACLS and BLS certifications. Passionate about collaboration, she works with colleagues, students, and patients to enhance health outcomes and quality of life, while her commitment to nursing education and advocacy drives her mission to elevate the profession.

 

Katrina Keefer *

President & CEO, DCH Health System

Katrina Keefer serves as President and CEO of the DCH Health System in Tuscaloosa, where she has led cultural and operational transformation since her arrival in 2022. Previously, she served as CEO of Augusta University Health to include the Children’s Hospital of Georgia, and held senior roles within UAB Health System, including 13 years as CFO of Baptist Health in Montgomery. With a focus on strategic growth, caregiver engagement, and community partnerships, Katrina has driven measurable improvements in financial performance, workforce retention, and patient outcomes. Katrina also serves on several other boards including America’s Essential Hospitals, the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, the United Way of West Alabama, and as a Huntingdon College Trustee. A native of Monroeville, she holds a BA from Huntingdon College and an MPA from New York University.

 

Arthur Orr

Alabama State Senator, District 3

Arthur Orr, a sixth-generation Alabamian, has made significant contributions to education through leadership and legislative efforts. Holding a bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University, where he chaired the Honor Council and earned academic honors, and a law degree from the University of Alabama, where he taught freshman English and received leadership accolades, Orr’s educational impact extends globally and locally. In the Peace Corps, he established a college scholarship program for young women in a remote Nepalese village, enabling hundreds to pursue higher education. As a state senator elected in 2006, he played a key role in founding the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering in Madison County and the Alabama Center for the Arts in Morgan County, while chairing the Athens State University Board of Trustees and the Senate Budget Committee for Education, overseeing a $24 billion budget. In 2023, he earned a Master’s Degree with honors in Military History from Austin Peay University, further enriching his educational credentials.

 

Jeff Samz *

CEO, Huntsville Hospital Health System

Jeff Samz, CEO of Huntsville Hospital Health System, leads a network of thirteen hospitals and numerous ambulatory locations, including the 881-bed Huntsville Hospital, Alabama’s second-largest not-for-profit hospital, overseeing 18,000 employees and a 1,400-physician medical staff. Previously, he served as CEO of the Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, held roles at Duke University Medical Center’s Heart Services, and worked in administrative positions at Mission Hospitals in Asheville. A Morehead Scholar at the University of North Carolina with an MBA from Wake Forest University, Samz is actively involved in the community as Vice Chair of the Huntsville Madison County Chamber of Commerce, Vice Chair of the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Foundation, and a board member of the Alabama Hospital Association.

 

Melissa Shields

Assistant Superintendent, Alabama Department of Education

Dr. Melissa Shields, Assistant State Superintendent of Student Learning at the Alabama State Department of Education since January 2023, is a lifelong educator renowned for her leadership in advancing student learning and school improvement across Alabama. With a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of Alabama and a National Board Certification in Young Adolescence English Language Arts, she has held pivotal roles including State Coordinator for the Office of School Improvement, NBCT Support and Advocacy leader, and Central/North Support Coordinator, where she aligned resources to support schools and fostered community partnerships. Previously, she supervised curriculum, Advanced Placement, and distance learning programs at Etowah County Board of Education and provided professional development through Jacksonville State University’s Inservice Center. A passionate advocate for professional growth, Shields co-chairs the Bold Goals Coalition’s Education Steering Committee, leads the Alabama NBCT Summer Boot Camp, and speaks at state and national conferences to promote curriculum and leadership excellence.

 

Kirk Stephens

Chairman of the Board, ASHS Foundation

Kirk Stephens, a prominent Alabama businessman based in Livingston and Demopolis, has built a distinguished career in the packaging and paper industries while championing educational and economic development in rural Alabama. He is the owner of Paper Packaging & Marketing, LLC, Managing Partner in Southwest Carton LLC and St. Francis Packaging, all part of the family business, Southwest Paper Sales, Inc. A 2001 Auburn University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems, he is deeply committed to community service. He is chairman of the board for Manufacturers’ Representatives of America, chairman of the Demopolis Industrial Development Board, and chairman of the board for the Alabama School for Health Sciences Foundation.

 

Jill Stork *

Vice President, Western Division, Alabama Power

Jill Stork, vice president of Alabama Power’s Western Division, oversees community development, economic development, workforce development, and local external and governmental affairs across 14 counties and 78 municipalities, serving over 240,000 customers. A 1995 electrical engineering graduate from the University of Alabama, Stork began her career at Alabama Power as a distribution engineer in the Mobile Division, later advancing to roles such as Engineering Supervisor in the Southern Division, Operations Manager in the Southeast and Mobile Divisions, and manager of the Division Distribution Control Center, ensuring safe and reliable electric grid operations. Most recently, she served as the area manager in the Mobile Division. Actively engaged in the community, Stork serves on the boards of the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce, and the Tuscaloosa County Economic Development Authority.

 

Mike Warren (chair) *

Retired Chairman & CEO, Children’s Alabama

Mike Warren, a prominent leader in Birmingham’s business and civic communities, is the former CEO of Children’s of Alabama, following a 22-year tenure on its board of trustees. Previously, he was chairman and CEO of Energen Corporation, overseeing its subsidiaries Alagasco and Energen Resources, and practiced law at the Birmingham firm Bradley, Arant, Rose & White. Warren’s extensive leadership roles include chairman of the Business Council of Alabama, United Way, Leadership Birmingham, Leadership Alabama, Metropolitan Development Board, and the area American Heart Association, as well as leading fundraising campaigns for the United Way and United Negro College Fund. In 2004, his contributions earned him induction into the Alabama Academy of Honor, reflecting his enduring impact on Alabama’s economic and social landscape.

 

*Denotes appointee of Gov. Kay Ivey